Question 1 of 8. The fee above is the court's; ours is $49 for the paperwork.
- Filing fee
- $287–$379
- Claim limit
- $10,000
- Service per defendant
- Set by the server
- Pay online
- Yes
What Cook County charges to file
Source: Circuit Court of Cook County, Municipal Department — Civil Division (Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County) fee schedule
| Your claim | You pay |
|---|---|
| $0.01 – $2,500 | $287 |
| $2,500.01 – $10,000 | $379 |
Fees change — confirm the current amount with the clerk at 312-603-5116 before you file.
The costs that are not the filing fee
Filing is the first charge, not the only one. Cook County also charges:
- Defendant appearance fee up to 2500: $150
- Defendant appearance fee $2500–$15000: $250
- Certified or registered mail service per defendant: $2
- Clerk mailing fee plus postage: $10
- Alias summons citation or garnishment: $6
- Jury demand small claims 12 person: $25
- Jury demand small claims 6 person: $12.50
- Wage deduction garnishment up to 1000: $35
- Wage deduction garnishment $1000–$5000: $45
- Wage deduction garnishment over $5000: $65
- Nsf returned payment: $25
- Motion to vacate small claims judgment within 30 days: $0
- Certified copy of judgment after first: $10
None of these are optional once the case is moving, and all of them are recoverable in the judgment if you win. They are simply not quoted at the counter when you ask what it costs to file.
Fees change — confirm the current amount with the clerk at 312-603-5116 before you file.
How this clerk takes payment
Circuit Court of Cook County, Municipal Department — Civil Division (Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County) accepts:
- Credit or debit card through the eFileIL electronic-filing service provider (a provider convenience fee applies)
- In-person payment methods (cash, check, money order, card) at the Civil Division counter are not enumerated on the Clerk's website — confirm accepted methods with the Clerk before filing
Filing through eFileIL (Odyssey eFileIL / Tyler Technologies) takes card payment at the time you file.
Common questions
How much does it cost to file a small claims case in Cook County?
$287–$379 to file, depending on how much you are suing for. Fees change — confirm the current amount with the clerk at 312-603-5116 before you file.
Can I get the filing fee back if I win?
Court costs, including the filing fee and service, are normally included in the judgment you ask for. Getting them back still depends on collecting the judgment.
What if I cannot afford the filing fee in Cook County?
Courts have a fee-waiver application for filers below an income threshold. Cook County's self-help center can point you at it. We cannot tell you whether you qualify.
How do I pay the Cook County filing fee?
Circuit Court of Cook County, Municipal Department — Civil Division (Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County) takes 2 forms of payment, listed above.
The Cook County filing packet — $49
Everything above, assembled and filled in with your facts:
- Your Cook County filing forms, completed with your claim in the language the court expects
- A demand letter built from the same facts
- A filing checklist with Circuit Court of Cook County, Municipal Department — Civil Division (Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County)'s address, hours, and the current fee
- What to bring to your hearing
Answer a few questions first. See your claim written out before you pay anything.
Reviewed by Small Claims Desk · Last reviewed 2026-08-20 · Sourced from cookcountyclerkofcourt.org (Civil Division); Clerk Municipal Division Fee Schedule CCG-0603 (eff. 1/1/2022) + Miscellaneous Fees CCG-0140 (rev. 10/28/25); illinoiscourts.gov Ill. S. Ct. Rules 281-289 & 303 and statewide small claims forms; cookcountycourtil.gov district courthouse locations and Ill. S. Ct. Rules 281-289 (Small Claims). See how we verify.